Sikh organisations help distribute over 10,000kg of aid

Working together: Volunteers loading boxes containing food to be distributed to flood victims.

Various Sikh organisations have joined hands to collect and deliver aid to those in need following the floods.

One of them is United Sikhs, which has set up base in Gurdwara Sahib Kampung Pandan.

The Sikh temple, which was used in 2008 for a similar goods collection mission for Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, has now become a bustling hub for aid bound for the flood-hit east coast of peninsula Malaysia.

“The focus of emergency relief has started shifting more towards Pahang with areas around Chini and Temerloh.

Rishiwant said the organisation was fortunate to get the help of Captain Bagawan Singh who selflessly flew daily missions all over Kelantan and back delivering aid to the areas that were only accessible by air.

Wading through the mud: Several people assessing the damage left by flood waters at a Sikh temple.

“Without him, we would not have been able to distribute more than 10,000kg of aid by land and air.

“The Setia Alam Sikhs also sponsored the air cargo cost to send 3,000 kg of aid to the Gurdwara Sahib Kota Baru which would be distributed to flood victims of all races,” said Rishiwant.

United Sikhs also flew a special mission to bring back the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book) from the Gurdwara Sahib Kuala Krai which was submerged under water.

“During the mission, the ceiling collapsed but no one was hurt seriously,” said Rishiwant.